Re: “My Dad”

My mentally ill sister was homeless, my father was schizophrenic, as well as my brother, who took his own life, and my drug-addicted nephew is homeless by choice, if you can call it a choice, so I get it. When someone suffers from such complex problems it is nearly impossible for their family to get them off the streets. There is too much baggage, trauma and conflict working against all those involved. This country desperately needs a working system in place with professionals to assist the homeless with addiction and mental health issues, at minimum. It boggles my mind that a society so highly advanced in numerous ways doesn’t bother to effectively deal with this segment of the population. When one person is discarded and ignored the whole of society suffers. Why is it that our leaders don’t appear to see or acknowledge this?
Off my soap box, I wish you peace and continued healing, Sara. You’re blessed to have the early “fun” memories of your father. I’m guessing he’d want you to hold onto those images and pass them along to his grandchild.
Thanks for sharing your story.